ESW- 5 :- Safety Precautions while Servicing of Elelvators

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Elevator, Escalator & Moving Walk

Safety Precautions while Servicing of Elevators 

Servicing on elevators should be done by authorized and trained persons only. Where more than one person is working, the responsibilities and tasks for each should be clarified by the supervisor before the work is started.

TOOLS

• Ensure availability of necessary tools and equipment to complete work tasks safely.
• Use only approved insulated tools, which are in a serviceable condition.
• Electrical test instruments must be regularly tested as per the manufacturer's instructions.
• Tools, equipment, and devices must be used in accordance with the instructions and/or guidance provided by the manufacturer.
  

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• The company-provided safety shoes must be worn while working on the job.
• Safety helmets must be used in lift shafts when there is a chance of material falling from height. e.g., roping changing work.
• A full body harness must be used when there is a fall hazard of a 1.8 m drop and a 300 mm gap from the level of work.
• Gloves must be used for sharp edge hazards.
• Use safety goggles/face shields when drilling, chipping, and grinding operations need to be done.
• Contact your engineer for the above personal protective equipment when needed.
• Look for special risks at site before start of work and take adequate risk control methods. Incase of doubt, contact the Engineer / Safety Officer.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Familiarize yourself with the site and the building representatives
• Get familiar with the working practices and the safety procedures of the work site.
• To ensure your safety, liaison with the site agent/builder/building owner or his representative is recommended, especially where a single man working is involved. Tell the building/site representative where you are working and when. If possible, ensure that a responsible person periodically monitors your welfare.
• Avoid working in a building that is otherwise unoccupied.

ELEVATOR SERVICE SAFETY TIPS

• Technicians arriving at a location to perform service or repairs should alert the owner or superintendent and place “out of service” signs on elevators and at elevator entrances before any work begins.
• Secure the elevator from the riding public when performing any adjustment or work. Ensure no one is in the car, close the doors, and prevent the doors from operating while working on the elevator.
• Before servicing elevator equipment, “tuck” loose-fitting clothing and confine long hair. Remove all jewelry.
• Avoid smoking and open flames in the work area.
• When cleaning, oiling, or greasing any parts that move, the elevator should be made inoperative—switch OFF the mains.
• Hold wiping cloths in your palm. Never wrap them around your hand.
• Wire ropes should be inspected or lubricated only after the car has stopped. Stay clear of pinch points.
• While in the pit and car, look for any tripping hazards.
• Before equipment is placed back in service, be sure all jumpers have been removed and account for any jumpers used. All safety circuits should be tested to ensure they are operating.
• If guards or covers have been removed during maintenance work, replace them before leaving the work area.
• Before leaving the building, if the car is returned to service, remove all “out of service” signs. Check out with building management.

MACHINE ROOM

• Entry of an unauthorized person to the machine room should be restricted.
• Avoid standing or walking on the trapdoor.
• Use the controller door key and not any other tool to open the door of the controller.
• Switch off the mains before winding.
• Make sure that all the landing doors are closed beforehand winding.
• Never run the elevator with power by bypassing any elevator safeties.
• Be careful while switching MCBs in the controller; chances are there to touch the metallic part of the MCB.
• Don’t keep your hand over the main sheave or on any moving parts.
• Ensure the controller door and M/C room doors are closed after completion of all work.
• Exercise special care when servicing governors located in awkward or tight work areas.

CAR TOP

• To enter the car top, keep the lift in the topmost floor. Give a car call to the bottom floor and open the landing door using the emergency key when the car is level with the landing.
• Switch off the cabin fan before entering the car top.
• Use only the company-provided emergency key to open the landing door; don’t use any other tools.
• Do not enter into the car top if it is above/below 1 foot from the landing level. Before entering the car, top the lift to ensure that the lift car top is at the same level.
• Before stepping onto the car top, check for availability of adequate shaft lighting and note the location of any equipment that will move with the operation of the car. Also note the location of safety switches; when operated, they will stop the car.
• Do not light matches or open flames for light in the hoist.
• For lighting, use only a safety hand lamp. I.e., a hand lamp with a bulb guard and approved electrical cords.
• Do not wear loose clothing. The shirt must be tucked in.
• Don’t smoke inside the shaft.
• Never leave the landing doors open and unattended if the car is not at the floor level.
• Ensure that the CAR TOP STOP & INSPECTION SWITCHES are made “ON” from landing before entering on the car top.
• Ensure sufficient lighting before the start of work inside the shaft.
• Stand erect and feel comfortable. Grip firmly on the stationary part of the car structure.
• Do not hold or lean for your balance on any of the parts listed below. Guides, brackets, wall, counterweight, ropes, and diverter wheel in 2:1 roping.
• Run the elevator in INSPECTION DRIVE MODE ONLY during car top travel.
• Keep all parts of your body inside the limits of the car area when the car is moving to avoid contact with counterweights or projections that may be located in or adjacent to the hoist way of the elevator being serviced.
• While at work, put the car top stop switch in the OFF position. (Circuit opened)
• While operating the UP/DN switch, always alert your colleague.
• It is important to observe the overhead obstruction if the overhead car clearance is limited.
• Do not clean, oil, or grease when the elevator is moving.
• Always be in a position to reach the car stop safety switch at any instant.
• Ensure the landing doors are fully obstructed to close by themselves while attending the lift in the landing area.
• If you are trapped and not in a position to release the landing door lock, stay calm on the car top and call for help. NEVER CLIMB ON ELEVATOR PARTS TO REACH THE LANDING DOOR LOCK. This can lead to dangerous consequences, like fatal ones.

LIFT PIT

• Before entering the pit, protect yourself by opening the pit stop switch. Verify the car will not move.
• Never jump down into a pit. Always use the access ladder provided. Before using access ladders, be sure they are secure and free of defects. Make sure your shoes do not have oil or grease on them before climbing the ladder.
• Before starting any work, inside the shaft area other than the car top, switch off the mains.
• If the pit depth is greater, use a ladder to get inside the lift shaft.
• Stay clear of the counterweight.
• Stand at a place where you are free from car and counterweight.
• Switch off the pit switch before the start of work inside the pit.
• Don’t stand on buffers.
• Do not work if there is water inside the pit.
• Take every precaution to make sure that no part of the body projects into a portion of the adjoining area.

GENERAL

• Always use proper personal protective equipment. This includes a helmet, gloves, safety shoes, a full-body harness, goggles, a dust respirator, etc.
• Always ensure that the working tools are in good condition with proper electrical insulation.
• Always ensure that your workplace, i.e., the control panel area, landing area, and car top area, is clean and tidy both during and after the work.
• Always use the ‘Out of service’ signboard on each and every landing and for every door.
• Don’t get work from anyone else other than the lift men.
• Wherever the work is done, keep the other men informed of what you do.
• When cleaning, greasing, or oiling any parts that move, the elevator should be made inoperative.
• Secure the elevator from the riding public when performing any adjustments or work. Ensure no one is in the car, close the doors, and prevent the doors from operating while working on the elevator.
• Before equipment is placed back in service, be sure all out-of-service boards have been removed. All safeties should be tested to ensure they are operating.